Headlines:
- Church goers to lose two handicapped spaces
- Arkley Center gains a permanent curbside loading/unloading zone
- Logging Trucks using 6th & 7th streets instead of 4th & 5th streets
- EPD grant funds overtime traffic safety, not service calls
This month’s meeting started with Eureka resident Lynn Gerber asking the Commission to implement safety measures in front of Washington Elementary.
The K-5th grade school located at 3322 Dolbeer Street, lacks familiar traffic safety features like a 25 mph school zone, radar speed signs or speed bumps.
Project Manger, Sheila Parrott, from the Eureka Engineering Department also mentioned looking into a 15 mph zone like the ones the City of Fortuna set in 2012.
The matter will be on next month’s agenda. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10 from 3:30pm – 4:30pm in the Council Chambers on the second floor at 531 K Street, Eureka, CA 95501.
Along the same lines, at next month’s meeting, members of the Commission will also hear from Kim Trevillion in regards to speeding concerns on Summer Street, north of Buhne Ave.
New Business:
Relocation of Parking Space by USPS Facilities
There was a request brought forward from Mark Gutierrez on behalf of the United States Postal Service to remove an on-street parking space across from the Eureka USPS office on Summer Street north of Simpson Street (1125 Summer Street).
Gutierrez explained that larger mail trucks have a hard time maneuvering out of the facilities when vehicles park across the street and would like the commission to paint the 65 ft long curb red.
Commissioner Bernie Haraldson noted that the facilities have been there for 50 years and wondered why this was an issue now and asked “what’s changed?”
Gutierrez, who has worked at the facility since 2008, said he believes there are just more people utilizing the parking space.
However, one thing that has changed is that semi trucks are much bigger today than they were 50 years ago when the facilities were first built. In an article by Ian A Williams on CurbsideClassic.com, he notes that today’s trucks feature an “ enormous wheelbase on the tractor, due to very generous overall vehicle lengths allowed…[by a] regulatory regime that emphasized spreading a larger amount of allowable weight over a longer span to reduce damage to the road.”
Tight squeezes for USPS trucks aren’t new and drivers are talking about the situation among themselves. Take this post from THBatMan8 on TruckersForum.net, who points out that USPS requires three years of experience and for a good reason: “The Post Office offers some of the toughest backing I have seen. After a while here and after bumping 12+ docks a day, if you weren’t good at backing before, this will help. You’ll have no choice but to get good at it.”
Project Manger Parrott noted that the current tenant doesn’t mind losing the space, however the owner of the property (Littlefield) was concerned about losing the spot and would like to be provided with a parking space a bit further down the street.
The Commission voted to approve the request upon verification of the need.
Arkley Center Seeks Permanent Loading/Unloading Zone Curb
The Arkley Center said it’s in
need of a passenger loading and unloading zone for elderly and physical disabled persons.
On behalf of the Arkley Center, Kris Marquez, North Coast Dance Executive Director is seeking to change a curb-side parking spot on G Street into a loading/unloading zone, which comes with a three minute time limit.
Commissioner Bernie Haraldson asked if there were any other temporary solutions available. Project Manger Parrott said the Arkley Center currently gets special permits for events and performances from the city, “which is OK if an event is for a whole week,” she said, but for shorter engagements special permits aren’t a good solution, especially when special permits require specific days and times for each instance, but also require purchasing insurance.
Parrot added that letters were sent to residents and businesses within a 300 ft radius and no one has contacted her office to complain. Rather, it’s been elderly patrons in favor of the new zone whom she’s heard from the most.
Commissioner Ron Kunhel said he saw no reason to wait and the rest agreed. The motion was approved.
Commission Reports and Communications:
Commissioner Charlie Bean said the city is lacking a bicycle safety brochure and the Publicity Committee is working on putting one together. He also thanked the Commission for “fixing the curb at 7th and P.”
Student Commissioner?
Project Manger Shiela Parrott asked about the status of trying to “get a student on the commission.” As she pointed out, The Commission changed meeting times in order to accommodate a high school schedule.
Commissioner Bernie Haraldson asked what their role would be.
“They would be a non-voting member,” replied Commissioner Brad Albee. The position would also be a way for students to learn about local government, he said.
The issue will be on next month’s agenda.
Residents Complain about Logging Trucks Using 6th and 7th Streets
David Morgan, Chief of Traffic Safety for Caltrans, District 1 was there to speak about congestion on R Street between 4th and 5th Streets (where the 101 HWY and Route 299/Samoa Blvd meet).
Apparently too many trucks are bypassing 4th and 5th streets in favor of 6th and 7th streets to avoid traffic congestion and are using R Street to get there. But with a short turn signal and about 50 ft between 4th and 5th, trucks using R Street are causing backups on HWY 101 and Route 299/Samoa Blvd.
Commissioner Patrick Gilmore said that residents have been complaining about trucks using the alternate routes, “the logging trucks are the main concern.”
In a follow up phone call with The Witness, Project Manager Sheila Parrott, said residents felt it was “inappropriate” for trucks to use the alternate routes and were also concerned with pedestrian safety issues, increased noise levels and the wear-and-tear on the roads, “but there’s no law against it,” she said. “We can’t arbitrarily say no to truckers without providing an alternative route.”
Having said that, Parrott pointed out that it makes no sense for trucks to use 6th and 7th streets if they don’t have destinations on those routes. She also pointed out that 4th and 5th street were specifically designed to be wider and more durable to accommodate for heavy loads, while 6th and 7th streets were not designed with the heavy loads in mind and can cause greater road damage in a shorter amount of time.
On a side note, Parrott mentioned that the City of Arcata currently prohibits large trucks on certain streets and said that may be one of several options solution Eureka could implement.
Staff Reports:
Eureka Police Department
Officer Tim Jo
nes of the Eureka Police Department said the they have started using this year’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) grant.
Last month the department used the equipment portion of the grant to
buy a new DUI checkpoint trailer and this month the department is
using the personnel portion, which will be used to pay for officer’s focusing on “primary collision factors.”
In a follow up phone call with The Witness, Jones explained that primary collision factors include speeding, using a cell phone while driving, bicycle infractions or even issuing citations to pedestrians for things like jaywalking.
During primary collision factors shifts EPD officers do not answer regular service calls. Jones said it makes them “more effective that way.
Also worth noting, officers on primary collision factors shifts, usually do so in addition to their regular hours, so it’s all overtime pay for them. As Project Manger Shiela Parrott said, “Officers want to sign up because it’s overtime. It’s a good deal for everyone.”
Disabled People lose Parking Spots
Scott Ellsm
ore, Engineering Technician for the City of Eureka spoke about getting rid of of two handicapped parking spaces at the corner of H and 15th streets, adjacent to the Christ Episcopal Church. Referred to as ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) parking spaces, Ellsmore said the stalls were not being used and could be converted to three conventional parking spaces
Commissioner Charlie Bean noted that the next closest space is a couple of blocks away, which can be a far way to travel for some people.
Project Manger Shiela Parrott added that two additional ADA spaces had been added to the parking lot at 5th and H streets.
Road Repairs
Eureka will be painting over 17 miles of center lines, crosswalks, bike lanes and more. There will also be a layer of a slurry seal applied to Myrtle Ave. ( between Harris and West) as well as S Street/West (between Buhne and Myrtle Ave.)
The Humboldt Witness 